Published on: February 16, 2025 Updated 2 times since publishing
A VPN might feel unnecessary if you’re just scrolling social media at home. The security risks are low, and if you’re not accessing sensitive information, you might not see the point — especially when many VPNs charge a monthly fee.
But a VPN is definitely worth it if you care about your online privacy or want unrestricted access to different kinds of content. Anyone who has the slightest interest in the world of tech (like me) won’t mind spending a bit on gear that makes life easier — and a good VPN can be one of those tools.
In this article, I explain what VPNs actually do (and don’t), so you can make an informed decision about whether you really need one. I also share tips on how to pick the right VPN for your needs.
Pro Tip: Not all VPNs offer the same level of security and performance. The best VPNs in 2026 will offer good value along with fast speeds, strong security features, and easy-to-use apps. My top pick is ExpressVPN.
Editor's Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
What Is a VPN?
A VPN is an online security and privacy tool. Its primary function is encrypting your internet traffic. This process converts the regular-looking data you send and receive over the internet into a coded format that looks like random nonsense to anyone who tries to see it without permission — like a hacker, your ISP (Internet Service Provider), and even your government.
A VPN also changes your IP address, a unique number that identifies your device on the internet and reveals your general location. Instead of showing your real IP address, a VPN assigns you a new one from its own server, making it appear as if you’re browsing from a different location.
Why Do I Need a VPN?
A VPN can be an incredibly useful tool. Here’s what a good VPN can help with:
Online Privacy & Anonymity
Without a VPN, everything you do online is visible to your internet provider and network administrators. They can see what websites you visit, what you stream, when you open your bank account, and even what files you download.
The websites you visit and advertisers also benefit from your encryption-less connection. They see your IP address, which they use to determine your location and target you with ads. If you’ve ever noticed ads following you around after searching for something once, your IP address played a big role in that.
The VPN’s encryption and masking of your IP address means no targeted ads, location tracking, or invasive data collection. This can also offer some level of protection for your financial transactions, reducing the risk of data theft, phishing, and fraud.
Security on Public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi networks, such as those in cafés and airports, often lack proper encryption, making them easy targets for cybercriminals. Cybercriminals can intercept your data through Man-in-the-Middle attacks and packet sniffing — and they can even set up fake hotspots.
This can provide them with access to anything you send or receive, including passwords, credit card details, and private messages. Hackers can remotely access cameras on laptops, phones, and tablets without permission. These attacks are more common than you’d think.
The VPN’s encryption makes it a lot harder for hackers to intercept your traffic on public Wi-Fi while you’re browsing, shopping, or accessing sensitive accounts.
Secure Remote Work & Data Protection
A VPN protects your work data by encrypting all communications, including sensitive files, emails, and business information, thus shielding them from hackers and cyber threats. It also helps enforce security policies by requiring remote employees to use a trusted, company-approved network. This is especially important for businesses handling financial data, trade secrets, or client information.
Bypassing Geo-Restrictions
Some streaming platforms and websites restrict content based on location by checking your IP address, which reveals your country. A VPN allows you to connect to a server in another region. This comes especially handy when traveling.
Getting Around Network Restrictions & Censorship
Workplaces, schools, and some networks block certain websites and apps by filtering traffic through firewalls. These firewalls check your requests and deny access to restricted sites like social media, streaming platforms, or messaging services.
However, if you use a VPN, the firewall only sees an encrypted connection to a VPN server and not the blocked website. This means it can’t enforce restrictions, allowing you to browse freely.
A VPN can also get around strict censorship in places where the government blocks access to the open internet and VPN traffic, like China. However, this only works if the VPN uses obfuscation, a tool that disguises VPN traffic as regular internet activity. This is especially valuable for journalists and activists who need unrestricted access to information and secure communication channels.
If you need access to the unrestricted internet, you can check out the top VPNs for bypassing government censorship here (the best is ExpressVPN, which has automatic obfuscation on all servers).
Disclaimer: VPNs are illegal in some countries. I recommend making sure that you can legally use a VPN if you’re in a restrictive country and following all local laws to avoid potential legal consequences. At SafetyDetectives, we don’t condone illegal activities.
Read more reasons to use a VPN
Improving Speeds
A VPN can improve your speeds if your ISP is slowing them down. ISPs typically throttle customers’s speeds when they engage in bandwidth-hungry activities, like streaming, gaming, and torrenting. They do this to manage network congestion or enforce data limits. For example, your ISP may slow down Netflix streaming after you’ve watched a certain amount of content, or reduce gaming speeds during peak hours.
With a VPN’s encryption, your ISP can’t see what you’re doing, and as such, it can’t selectively throttle your connection based on activity type.
Improve Gaming Performance
A VPN can improve your gaming experience in several ways. If your ISP or the game’s servers route your traffic inefficiently, a VPN can connect you to a faster, more stable server. This helps reduce lag and improve connection reliability, especially in fast-paced online games.
For competitive players, a VPN adds another layer of protection. Some games issue broad IP bans that can unfairly lock you out, but a VPN lets you switch to a different server and regain access.
It also shields you from DDoS attacks, which opponents use to flood your connection with traffic and force you offline. By hiding your real IP address, a VPN makes it much harder for attackers to target you, keeping your connection stable and uninterrupted.
Saving Money When Shopping Online
Online retailers often adjust prices based on your geographic location. Users in wealthier regions may see higher prices than those in other countries. By switching to a VPN server in a different region, you can compare prices from multiple locations and potentially get better deals.
This can lead to significant savings over time — especially if you travel or shop online often. For example, VPNs can help you get cheaper flights and save money on hotels.
Editor's Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
How to Choose a Good VPN
Choosing the right VPN is crucial for maintaining security, privacy, and performance. Here’s how to choose a top-quality VPN:
- Look for strong security features. Choose a VPN with industry-standard security, including 256-bit AES encryption, secure protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard, and a kill switch to prevent data leaks. Additional features like split-tunneling and an ad blocker can further enhance security. ExpressVPN, for example, ticks all of these boxes.
- Verify the VPN’s no-logs policy. A VPN’s no logs policy is the guarantee you need to ensure your online activities won’t be monitored or logged. I prefer VPNs that have undergone independent audits to confirm their no-logs claims. It’s very important to stay away from VPNs that collect your data (they may even sell it). You can find our list of the top VPNs with the best no-logs policies here.
- Check the server network. The bigger the server networks, the less there’s a chance that you’ll connect to an overcrowded server that will slow down your connection. A larger server network also means access to more geo-restricted content. CyberGhost VPN, for example, has a huge network covering 100 countries.
- Consider the overall value. Look for VPNs that allow multiple device connections under one account, offer flexible subscription plans, and provide a money-back guarantee. If you’re on a budget, here are the cheapest VPNs on the market that provide excellent value.
- Make sure the VPN offers fast speeds. A good VPN should minimize speed loss. Your VPN pick should maintain fast and stable connections for streaming, torrenting, and gaming (ExpressVPN is the fastest VPN out there).
- Test for streaming & P2P support. If you need a VPN for streaming, check if it works with services like Netflix and Disney+. For torrenting, confirm that the provider supports P2P file sharing and offers secure connections.
- Assess its ability to bypass censorship. If you plan on traveling to a restrictive country or you need a VPN to securely access blocked content at work or school, you’ll need a VPN that can bypass firewalls and internet censorship in countries with strict regulations. ExpressVPN offers obfuscation on all servers, making it an excellent pick for avoiding censorship.
Editor's Note: Intego ONE, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company.
What VPNs Can’t Do
VPNs do a lot for your online privacy, but they need to be used in conjunction with other security tools. Here are some of the limitations of VPNs and how you can address the risks.
VPNs Don’t Make You Completely Anonymous
A VPN improves your online privacy, but it doesn’t make you fully anonymous. Websites can still track you using cookies, browser fingerprinting, and other advanced techniques.
If you log into services like Google or Facebook, your identity remains exposed regardless of your VPN — tech companies can still collect your data through your account logins, browser settings, and ad trackers.
VPNs Can’t Fully Protect You From Cyber Threats
A VPN doesn’t protect you from malware, phishing scams, or account hacking. Some top-tier VPNs offer ad, tracker, and malware blockers that work well, but they aren’t a replacement for dedicated security tools.
To protect yourself from unintentionally downloading a virus or clicking a phishing link that tricks you into revealing your login credentials to cybercriminals, you’ll need good antivirus software. Currently, the best antivirus on the market is Norton — it offers unmatched virus and malware protection.
VPNs Can’t Speed Up a Slow Internet Connection
A VPN can’t increase your base internet speed beyond what your ISP provides because it still relies on your existing connection. If you have a slow internet plan, a VPN won’t make it faster — it can only help if your ISP is intentionally slowing down certain activities (throttling).
A VPN will slow down your connection to some extent because it adds extra steps to the process. The encryption requires processing power and can introduce a slight delay, and since your internet traffic is rerouted through a VPN server, your data needs to travel further, which also impacts your speeds. That said, the best VPNs like ExpressVPN keep this speed loss to a minimum.
VPNs Aren’t a Replacement for Good Cybersecurity Habits
A VPN is just one layer of protection. You can still end up on the receiving end of a cyberattack if your passwords are weak (or you use the same password for several accounts), you don’t use 2-factor authentication (2FA), and you’re not cautious about clicking links or downloading files, especially from unknown sources.
A good password manager can help you create strong and unique passwords and keep them in a safe storage space — 1Password is my top pick in 2026.
Editor's Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it really necessary to have a VPN?
No, a VPN isn’t absolutely necessary, but it’s highly beneficial for privacy, security, and accessing restricted content. A VPN encrypts your internet traffic, hides your IP address, and protects your data from hackers, ISPs, and government surveillance. It’s especially useful if you use public Wi-Fi, work remotely, or live in a country with internet restrictions.
However, if you only browse casually at home and don’t care about privacy, a VPN may not be essential. That said, ISPs often track and throttle internet speeds based on your activity, and websites collect vast amounts of personal data. A VPN helps prevent this by keeping your online activity private.
Is there a downside to using a VPN?
Yes, using a VPN has some downsides. It can slow down your internet due to encryption and rerouting, especially if the server is far away. Some websites, like streaming services and banking apps, may block VPN traffic, forcing you to disconnect. But that’s mostly it — I believe a VPN is well worth these minor drawbacks, considering the value it offers.
Also, please note that It’s essential to choose a reputable VPN to ensure you’re getting both the security and the performance you need.
Is it really worth having a VPN?
Yes, having a VPN is worth it, especially for those who value online privacy and security. A VPN encrypts your traffic, making it nearly impossible for hackers or third parties to track your activity, which is especially helpful when using unsecured networks like public Wi-Fi.
VPNs also offer other benefits, like bypassing geographical restrictions and avoiding throttling by ISPs. They can improve gaming performance, protect against targeted attacks, and even help save money when shopping online by offering access to better deals in different regions.
Is it worth it to pay for a VPN?
Yes, paying for a high-quality VPN like ExpressVPN is worth the investment if you want strong security and reliable performance. Good VPNs offer advanced features like strong encryption, faster speeds, better server coverage, and reliable customer support. They also have strict no-logs policies and provide more protection against data breaches.
Free VPNs may seem tempting, but they often come with limited features, slower speeds, and potential privacy risks. A paid VPN ensures you’re getting the best protection for your data, making it a valuable tool for securing your online activities and protecting your personal information.
Editor's Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.